provision already configured/productive WLC9800 into DNA-Center

[merilcerpos]

hello everyone,

what is best practise in that scenario:

WLC9800 is already pre-configured with AAA and SSIDs, APs already joined and WLC is productive.

DNA-Center integration of WLC9800 afterwards. Discovery and provision

I guess this is recommended during maintenance window and/or the APs moved to another WLC if available. Can someone provide me more information about the procedure and ideally a reference link for this scenario? Thank you.

[Flavio Miranda]

Hi

 But this 9800 WLC will be part of the fabric? or only Assurance?

[merilcerpos]

assurance and automation. keeping wlan configuration central associated to network hierarchy (network profile and wireless profile settings)

[Dan Rowe · Accepted solution]

Hey Merilcerpos,

For pre-configured production WLCs that are then discovered to the Cisco DNA Center inventory, you can use the learn device configuration workflow to learn the configurations that exist on the WLC and add them into the wireless design + wireless profiles automatically. 

Check out section 'Brownfield Support for Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller' from the following document:

-- https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/cloud-systems-management/network-automation-and-management/dna-center/2-1-2/user_guide/b_cisco_dna_center_ug_2_1_2/b_cisco_dna_center_ug_2_1_1_chapter_01101.html

Provisioning a WLC & APs should be done during a maintenance / change window if the WLC is in production as site tags & policy tags will be configured and assigned to the access points which will cause a slight disruption of the production wireless environment. You can however configure the WLC for assurance without a maintenance / change window as the assurance configuration pushed should not cause any downtime for the production wireless environment. You can configure the WLC for assurance by assigning it to a location from the Cisco DNA Center inventory with device controllability enabled. You also want to make sure wireless monitoring is enabled under DNA Center GUI -> Design -> Networking Settings -> Telemetry for the site, building, or floor that you assigned for the device.